Isabelle couldn’t hold back and asked in a low voice while waiting in the large dining room.

“Brother, you said you saw her? How is she? Pretty?”

“Hmm. I didn’t get a good look at her face… but she’s small.”

“Small? How much?”

Averster made a small circle with both hands.

“This much?”

“That can’t be!”

“Isabelle, be quiet. Ariana has been through a lot, so be careful with your actions when she arrives.”

Isabelle’s mother, Lady Briant White, spoke. Isabelle pursed her lips but kept silent.

Soon after, a servant’s voice was heard from outside the dining room.

“Princess Ariana White is entering.”

Everyone straightened up and stared at the dining room door.

Ariana slowly appeared from behind the opening door.

Her soft sky-blue hair, petite face, pearl-white skin, and slender frame clad in a light pink dress.

Ariana stood tall, emanating a dignity unlike a child, momentarily leading everyone in the room to mistake her for a high-ranking noble lady.

Despite receiving everyone’s attention, Ariana’s steps were unshaken. She walked so gracefully that her skirt barely fluttered, stopping at the seat the servant guided her to.

Ariana lightly held her skirt and curtsied.

“I am Ariana.”

“Oh, Ariana! No need for formality among family. Sit down.”

Phelos spoke with a deep voice.

Ariana gave Phelos a faint smile and took her seat.

Isabelle, who had been scrutinizing Ariana, muttered under her breath.

“What’s this? Who wears pink these days? It looks really outdated.”

“Isabelle!”

As Lady White glared, Isabelle snorted.

“What did I say wrong? Who wears pink? Light green is the color these days. Your Highness, don’t tell me her room is still pink?”

As Russell made an awkward face, Ariana calmly said,

“Thank you for your concern, Lady Isabelle. However, I like pink, so it suits me.”

Isabelle scowled at Ariana’s response.

“Hey, why are you calling me Lady Isabelle?”

“Huh?”

“You’re my sister, my cousin sister.”

“Ah…”

“What’s with her? She’s really clueless. Who talks so formally to their sister… Ow! Mom, why did you pinch me?”

“Isabelle. We will talk at home.”

As Lady White glared, Isabelle grumbled but didn’t say anything more to Ariana.

Phelos chuckled.

“I’m sorry, Ariana. My daughter is a bit… well, she’s a good kid. I hope you get along.”

“It would be my honor to get along with Lady Isabelle, my lord.”

“What, Dad? You told her to call you uncle, and she’s not doing it.”

As Isabelle grumbled, Lady White shot her a warning glance. Averster quickly spoke to Ariana before Isabelle could make another comment.

“Hello, Ariana. We’re acquainted, right?”

“Yes, thank you for your help before.”

“When? You helped her without me knowing, brother?”

“I was really surprised when I heard you were the daughter of His Highness. If I’d known earlier, I would have escorted you more comfortably to the Chase Castle.”

Averster completely ignored Isabelle.

“Thanks to you, the journey was comfortable. Without your help, Viscount, I would have been in great trouble. Thank you.”

Knowing Ariana’s background, Averster understood why she kept her distance from everyone.

Everyone could guess what Ariana had been through back in the capital.

But if the bruises remained that long, how could she forgive her father and her family who had turned a blind eye while in high positions? Could she not resent them?
The gathering to introduce the children of the house flowed quietly and smoothly.

Ariana answered questions earnestly but never took the initiative to ask anything herself, handling her utensils gracefully throughout, impressing everyone.

“Ariana, your manners are impeccable. It’s like watching royal etiquette.”

A subtle smile appeared on Ariana’s face at Pelos’s compliment.

Royal etiquette. She had honed her grace through the painful effort of assisting the third prince. Whether it was horseback riding, manners, dancing, or social skills, she had learned it all for the sake of survival, for living a life with humane treatment.

Her resolve was different from those nobles who learned simply as a means to find a better husband under the Queen’s favor.

Lady White spoke.

“Isabel could certainly learn from watching you.”

Triggered by this comment, Isabel, who had been silently rolling her eyes, abruptly stood up. She swiftly approached Ariana and picked up the plate in front of her.

“Do you dislike carrots?”

Ariana slowly looked up to meet Isabel’s eyes.

“Then don’t eat it.”

Isabel pushed the plate aside and grabbed a glass of juice.

“Don’t like lime juice either? Then don’t drink this.”

“Isabel!”

Eversor stood up and grabbed Isabel’s arm. After receiving a cue from Russel and Langsty to take her away, Eversor pulled Isabel out.

Despite being dragged out, Isabel did not lose her momentum.

“Why eat something you dislike? There’s so much delicious food in the world! Eat what you want to eat. Isn’t that why you came to Castle Chase? Why are you doing things you don’t like?”

Isabel’s shouting voice struck a chord in Ariana’s heart.

“Just stop pretending to be all refined! You don’t look pretty at all!”